Seeking Info On So Sethaputra

[sabaijai]

I'm looking for biographical info on dictionary complier So Sethaputra for a modern history of Thailand I'm editing. Specifically we're lacking the date of his death (in 2000), and cause of death. I've Googled and Wiki'ed and come up with nothing. We have plenty of details about his earlier life and career.

Thanks for any help, Thai Language fans.

[5tash]

Mangkorn posted this link on another thread.

BOOK TALK: So Sethaputra: Not a mere dictionary compiler

It may be of some use.

[sabaijai]

Mangkorn posted this link on another thread.

BOOK TALK: So Sethaputra: Not a mere dictionary compiler

It may be of some use.

Yes I saw that. It doesn't have the date of death but on second reading, I see it does note the cause of death. So I just need the date (month and day).

Thanks.

[yoot]

As it shown on this Wikipedia, he died on September 9th, 1970, not in 2000.

[5tash]

As it shown on this Wikipedia, he died on September 9th, 1970, not in 2000.

It also says he died of a heart attack (โรคหัวใจวายเฉียบพลัน).

Pimpawan is So’s wife, she died of a lung infection in 2000.

[sabaijai]

As it shown on this Wikipedia, he died on September 9th, 1970, not in 2000.

Thanks, yoot. The Wiki figure must be wrong, guess they meant to write 2543, since they mention he was 67 years old when he died. If he died in 2513 he would have been just 37. Anyway this clears it up, thanks!

[5tash]

According to Wiki, So was born on 10th February 1903 and passed away 9th September 1970 aged 67 years.

[sabaijai]

You're right, so it was 1970 after all and The Nation was noting his wife's death, so I read the English wrong. Thanks for the correction.

[Rikker]

Sabaijai, can you give us any further information about this book?

[sabaijai]

Rikker, if you mean the book project I'm working on, it's a history of Thailand from 1946 through 2009.

[realthaideal]

Hey Sabai Yai. Wouldn't a figure of prominence like this have had a bunch of familiars who worked on University or gov't staff somewhere whom you could still contact today ? Short of finding family, it might be nice to find former colleagues and let them know their friend is still remembered. Who knows what kind of fun conversation that may lead to as well ? Have fun. Keep us posted.

[sabaijai]

RTD, So Sethaputra will only occupy roughly two paragraphs in the book so I don't need to go that far afield, as interesting as it might be. In fact there are a couple of book-length biographies out there in Thai that could be interesting.

Today I found a short article in the Bangkok Post archives:

10 September 1970

So Sethaputra, Thailand's best known lexicographer who compiled his first English-Thai dictionary while serving a political jail term, died at 6.30am yesterday of cerebral haemorrage at Ramathibodhi Hospital. He was 64.

A former Deputy Minister of Agriculture during the time of the late Mr Kuang Abhaiwongse and twice People's Representive of Thon Buri, So was also known for his selection of the brand name for Singha beer.

He was a nephew of the owner of Boonrod Brewery, Phya Phirom Phakdi.

A staunch anti government writer and politician, So was jailed for 11 years at Tarutao Island after the Borworadej Rebellion in which he took part was nipped in the bud.

His fellow convicts included Prince Sitthiphorn Krisdakara, Phya Saraphai Phitphat, Dr Chote Klumphan, Lt Chongkol Krairerk and Louis Kiri-[text missing]

So was made editor of the first English-language daily newspaper after World War II, The Liberty, after his release in 1944.

So was also known for his lexicography. He had written several Thai-English and English-Thai dictionaries considered to be the most complete and up-to-date in the country.

So is survived by his wife Mrs Pimpawan, four sons and five daughters.

His body is being kept at Wat Monkut where funeral rites will be held until September 16.

[Rikker]

Very interesting -- I never knew the Boonrawd connection. A quick Google search confirms that the common name of founder พระยาภิรมย์ภักดี (Phraya Phirom Phakdi) was indeed บุญรอด เศรษฐบุตร. (เศรษฐบุตร was the original spelling of เสถบุตร Sethaputra, before the short-lived spelling reform of the Phibunsongkhram government.)

Edited January 29, 2009 by Rikker